Nao Kodaira prepares for punishing Beijing schedule with 1000m gold in Calgary for first World Cup gold of season
BySportsbeat
Published 12/12/2021 at 13:56 GMT
The 500m Olympic champion has raced over three distances this season and is preparing to defend her title, as well as challenging over 1000m and 1500m, in Beijing. Kodaira struck gold for the first time in Olympic year with a 1:12.51 skate to victory in Canada, edging out USA's Brittany Bowe, who finished strongly, by three-hundredths of a second.
Nao Kodaira
Image credit: Getty Images
Japan's Nao Kodaira tuned up for her tilt at an Olympic treble with 1000m gold in Calgary, her first World Cup gold of the season.
"Finally," laughed the 35-year-old. "I am so happy and looking forward to the Olympics now."
Russia's Angelina Golikova also claimed her maiden World Cup victory of the season, prevailing in personal best time in the 500m.
With a staggering 10.19 opening lap, Golikova set a personal best of 36.66, beating Kodaira by 0.09s.
"My first 100m was very good but my lap was not perfect," she said. "In the end it's a good time for me now. It gives me confidence to know that I can win, even when I'm not skating a perfect race."
Canada's team pursuit trio of Isabelle Weidemann, Ivanie Blondin and Valerie Maltais ensured they will end the season unbeaten and sealed a third consecutive World Cup trophy.
They set a Canadian and track record of 2:52.06 at the Olympic Oval, beating Japan to top step.
On the men's side, USA's Joey Mantia made it back-to-back 1500m World Cup victories but was a way off his best, more than a second and a half behind the world record.
"I was just tired," said the 35-year-old, who finished in 1:41.86. "I had a big weekend last weekend and I thought I would be ready again this week, but I'm not."
Bart Hoolwerf punched a ticket to Beijing in the mass start, flying to a first career World Cup win to secure the second spot on the Dutch team in the event.
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